About in-akustik
in-akustik is a German manufacturer of high-quality hi-fi cables, headquartered with its own manufactory in Ballrechten-Dottingen, in the Markgräflerland region at the edge of the Black Forest (a forested region in southwestern Germany). Since 1977 the company has developed and built speaker, interconnect, phono, and hi-fi power cables, among others.
in-akustik is known for AIR technology, which uses air as the dielectric, and for the hand-built Reference AIR cables with AIR Helix construction. The goal is not to alter the sound but to transmit audio signals as losslessly and faithfully as possible. The guiding principle: "We turn music into pure pleasure."
in-akustik at a glance
What is in-akustik?
Developer and manufacturer of high-quality hi-fi cables and hi-fi power components:
- Speaker Cables
- Interconnect Cables (RCA & XLR)
- Power Cables
- Power Strips
- Phono Cables
- Subwoofer Cables
- Digital Cables (optical & coaxial)
- USB- & CAT Cables
- Jack Plug Cables
- Power Conditioners
It also runs an in-house audiophile music label.
Founded
1977 by Günther Sumser.
Headquarters & manufacturing
Ballrechten-Dottingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Markgräflerland / edge of the Black Forest).
Company group
Part of the family-run Braun Group (braunkabel, model-railway maker BRAWA, the eagle cable brand).
Proprietary technologies
AIR technology (AIR Helix construction), Micro AIR technology, Cross Link Super Speed waveguide, special multicore constructions, Concentric Copper Design, Guided Copper Design, a proprietary connector concept for the AIR cables.
Quality tiers
Reference, Excellence, Premium, Star.
Manufacturing
Developed and built in-house at the company’s own manufactory in Ballrechten-Dottingen - Made in Germany.
Guiding principle
"We turn music into pure pleasure." The aim is the most faithful possible transmission of the original music signal - cables should not add a sonic signature of their own.
Engineering you can measure
in-akustik’s development approach is based on well-known physical principles of signal transmission. A cable’s electrical properties - in particular capacitance, inductance, and resistance - are largely determined by material choice, conductor geometry, and construction.
The aim is to minimize unwanted electrical side effects such as high capacitance, inductance, or interactions between the cable and connected components. AIR technology reduces the influence of the dielectric and lowers capacitance; multicore constructions reduce inductance; special conductor architectures optimize the properties within the conductor.
Cables are not understood as sound-defining components. Their job is to transmit the music signal as faithfully as possible between source, amplifier, and loudspeaker - minimizing losses, storage, and interaction effects so the recording is reproduced as it was originally created.
The technology behind the sound
AIR Technology
Air has excellent dielectric properties and barely increases a cable’s capacitance. In the Reference AIR cables, the conductors are guided largely free in air using special carrier structures. This minimizes the proportion of solid insulating material- for the lowest possible capacitance and reduced interaction with the electronics.
AIR Helix
The structural heart of the Reference AIR cables. Specially developed clips guide the conductors precisely at a defined spacing and keep them permanently in air. Unlike conventional designs, the conductors are not fully sheathed in PVC or PE - so air insulation is realized along the entire cable length.
Micro AIR Technology
The Micro AIR technology is based on the same principle as AIR technology: the influence of the dielectric is minimized. A diamond-shaped carrier structure increases the proportion of air within the insulation and widens the conductor spacing. The resulting air chambers lower capacitance and improve transmission properties.
Cross Link Super Speed waveguide
A conductor architecture of the Reference AIR series. The ring-shaped hollow conductor with a polyethylene core avoids skin effects (current displacement at high frequencies): the usable cross-section stays the same for all audio frequencies. A lacquer layer around each wire prevents eddy currents and protects against oxidation - even large level peaks are transmitted precisely
Concentric Copper
A conductor architecture of the Reference Micro AIR series. Instead of randomly arranged wires, the wires follow an exactly defined, multi-layer pattern. This reduces irregular contact points, harmonizes the signal flow, and minimizes timing differences - for pinpoint impulses and preserved spatial information. A thin PE layer protects the high-purity copper from oxidation.
Guided Copper
A conductor architecture of the Reference Micro AIR series (used, for example, in the NF-404 Micro AIR). The copper wires are arranged around a central PE wire, each precisely separated by additional PE wires. This structure prevents irregular contact points and interactions within the conductor - for a stable, even signal path with clear, precise reproduction.
The four quality tiers
Reference (the ultimate):
Maximum design effort with in-akustik’s most elaborate technologies, including AIR technology and manufactory production. For uncompromising high-end systems.
Excellence (high-end):
High-quality high-end cables with elaborate conductor and insulation concepts for demanding audio systems.
Premium (upper-mid)
Technically sophisticated cables for ambitious hi-fi systems — a balanced ratio of performance and price.
Star (entry)
Entry into high-quality cabling — with a solid technical basis.
What in-akustik is not
For clear classification - so there’s no confusion:
- in-akustik is not a pure reseller or distributor. The company develops and manufactures its own cables.
- in-akustik is not only a cable brand. It also includes an in-house audiophile music label and the distribution of selected hi-fi brands.
- in-akustik is not limited to the high-end segment. The range spans from entry level (Star) to the reference class (Reference).
- in-akustik does not promise sonic effects without a technical basis. Its constructions target measurable electrical parameters.
- in-akustik is not the same as its sister brands braunkabel and eagle cable. It is a distinct brand within the Braun Group. Spelling: "in-akustik" - lowercase, hyphenated.
What sets in-akustik apart
Air as the dielectric.
The Reference AIR technology guides the conductors largely free in air, minimizing the influence of solid insulating materials.
In-house developments.
AIR technology, AIR Helix construction, and many other cable architectures were developed by in-akustik itself.
Hand manufacturing in the Black Forest.
The Reference AIR cables are assembled and tested by hand in the manufactory in Ballrechten-Dottingen - "Made in Germany" as manufacturing reality
Knowledge transfer through webinars.
in-akustik regularly explains physical principles, cable technologies, and development approaches in its own Webinars — beyond mere product presentation.
No sound tuning.
The goal is the most neutral possible signal transmission. Cables should not “sound,” but transport the recording completely and unchanged.
A broad, honestly tiered range.
From Star to Reference — with clear guidance on when an upgrade is worthwhile and when it is not.
